Dry conditions challenging Missouri farmers

Another week of dry weather has given Missouri farmers plenty of time in the fields for planting and harvesting. But a new report says farmers could also use a lot more moisture as pastures deteriorate in parts of the state.

The U.S. Agriculture Department’s Missouri field office said Monday that harvests of corn, soybeans and sorghum are running at least a month ahead of normal statewide.

Missouri farmers are nearly finished planting winter wheat. But some replanting has already been done because of the dry conditions.

The lack of rain is taking a toll on pasture conditions. Pastures are rated 75 percent poor to very poor in south-central Missouri, where livestock water supplies are getting short.

And pasture conditions are rated 95 percent poor to very poor in the Bootheel.